A full 3D finite element method has been used to understand how nano-clay particles affect
the mechanical properties of an epoxy/clay nanocomposite. The epoxy/clay nanocomposite has been
modelled as a representative volume element (RVE) containing intercalated clay platelets that
internally delaminates at the gallery layer upon satisfying an energy criterion, and an epoxy matrix
that is elastic-plastic. A cohesive traction-displacement law is used to model the clay gallery
behaviour until failure. For clay volume fractions >1%, clay particle interaction is observed to
develop during uniaxial tension, the nanocomposite stiffness becomes non-linearly dependent on the
clay volume fraction, and the Mori-Tanaka model overestimates the stiffness. Failure of the clay
gallery is not observed and is believed to have no influence on the ultimate tensile strength of the
nanocomposite.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.